Social media has been abuzz following the circulation of an official letter from Indonesia’s Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) requesting Indonesian embassies in several European cities to provide assistance for the wife of Minister Maman Abdurrahman during her personal trip.

The letter, signed by the ministry's secretary Arif Rahman Hakim, was addressed to Indonesian embassies in Sofia, Brussels, Paris, Bern, Rome, The Hague, and the consulate in Istanbul. It requested assistance for Agustina Hastarini, the minister’s wife, who was said to be traveling across Europe for 14 days as part of a cultural mission.

According to the document, which surfaced online on Monday, June 30, 2025, the letter was also copied to Minister Maman Abdurrahman and senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When contacted, Foreign Ministry official Rolliansyah Soemirat said he was currently abroad and had not yet reviewed the letter. Meanwhile, Minister Maman responded to the growing public attention by promising an internal review and a formal press conference.

“Thank you for your attention. I am currently checking this matter internally and will hold a press conference after,” Maman said, on Thursday, July 3, 2025

He clarified that his wife’s trip to Europe was to accompany their child, a junior high school student, who was participating in a school-organized cultural event.

“My wife’s trip abroad was to accompany our child, who is in Grade 7, to a cultural mission competition − an annual event organized by the school,” Maman said.

He strongly denied any misuse of public funds, stating that all expenses − including flights, accommodation, and meals − were paid entirely from his wife’s personal bank account and had been settled as early as May.

“I assure you that not a single rupiah came from State funds or any external party,” he said. “I can show documentation of the ticket payments directly from my wife’s personal account.”

The minister also said that all documents related to the trip had been submitted to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and were received accordingly.

Regarding the ministry letter that sparked the controversy, Maman claimed complete ignorance.

“I have no knowledge of the document. There was no instruction from me, no disposition, and no direction whatsoever. I truly do not know anything about that letter,” he asserted.

The controversy has triggered public scrutiny over the use of official government channels for personal matters, even amid claims of private financing. With questions lingering over the origin and purpose of the circulated letter, all eyes are now on the upcoming press conference for further clarification.